The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-07-23
Strange Animals Found in Arizona


apoundlng upon the sandy "mias,"
writes Gto0s (Arizona) correspon-
dent to the San Francisco Chronicle {;
one can hardly move rock without
disturbing the siesta of one or more
OF these bright-eyed, inoffensive lit
tie creatures, which seem to prove
themselves descendants of Eve, for
more curious bits of animal life were
known. Thus curiosity will even
overcome their natural fears for
while writing upon a large rock two
or three came out and ventured clear
up 10 the paper, tasted an envelope,
and upon being frightened away soon
returned to pursue their inyestiga-
tons, which, could a person keep
quiet enough, would be carried to
rather obnoxious extent.
The horned toad is another little
animal which seems to have a fond
ness for human company, and many
OF them make their home under
porches and steps. They much re-
semble lizard, save that around
their necks is a number of sharp pro-
jecting horns about half an inch long
and the same distance apart, and
which gives to them a most ferocious
look. They are of dark stone color
aud perfectly harmless. There are
quite good many centipedes, which,
however, it is we'll to inspect from a
distance. Upon seeing the first one
running across the room a person is
readyto take his oath that the rep
tile is not less than three feet in
length, but which, upon actual meas
urement, would probably be about
nine inches, as that is the average
length. They are sort of transpar-
ent brown and have two rows of legs
the entire length of the body. They
are put together in sections, and look
like the hundred-legged worms often
found IN Ohio around rotten wood or
under old boards. 1t is not the bite
of the centipede that is so poisonous
but each end of his numerous claws
contains the venom, and when fright
ened, or an attempt is made to brush
him of. every claw is fastened into
the flesh and the poison discharged.
The only way when one gets on to
any portion of the flesh is to keep.
perfectly quiet until the visitor walks
off on his own account. This, how
ever, is a by no means easy thing to
do, as one at first impulse is very
apt to make a decided endeavor to
remove the offender. This poison is
never known to prove fatal, but pro-
duces an intense irritation which will
affect the whole system in the same
manner as the bite of a rattlesnake.
Tarantulas are to be found quite
plenty in the mountains, and when
out our party had frequent
lv to shoot number in order to clear
a spot on which to spread their blan-
kets. This may seem small game for
shooting, but a mans revolver is his
handiest weapon in this country.
These tarantulas look like huge spi-
ders, with legs about two inches long
and covered with long black hair.
1t is not safe to get too near one of
these creatures, as they are capable of
springing into the air several feet,
aud are apt to alight too near one for
comfort yet if left alone
they will never modest one. But they
are furious warriors among them.
selves, often fighting one another for
several days, Their bite is poisonous,
bnt not dangerously so. Scorpions
are found to be quite plenty around
the foot hills, and their sting is very
painful. They resemble monstrous
flea and are very fond of crawling
into beds. Many people, new COM
ers especially, are in the habit of
making thorough examination of
their couch before retiring, not caring
to receive the warm reception which
would be awarded them by these
small intruders. There is a small in
sect about the size of a flea. dark
brown color and without wings.
which lives in the sand and is said to
be the most poisonous of anything
here. 1t is called an "Indian killer"
that being the only name for it that
can be learned. 1t, however, is al
most unknown, and after residence
of several months 1 have never seen
but one, and that dead one.
A Desperate Fight.